Colenso Parade

Scampering guitars, raucous percussion and winning way with a melody. From the opening of 'You just Don't know me', we were smitten. In a town full of Indie guitar slingers, Colenso Parade are quickest on the draw- smart storytellers and natural songwriters, the six tracks on To Let wear their brilliance lightly. There are no pretensions, just intuitive tunes, marrow-peircing riffs and rock steady rhythms. Hymns to young lives such as 'Sometimes it's easier to say Yes' will make believers of many, whilst 'The Impressionable Miss Reilly' sees the Omagh four-peice wrap up proceedings with irrepressible gusto. - AU Magazine

Colenso Parade are topping the bill tonight, launching their new EP, with their intelligent indie pop-rock, with something a little bit different in there as well. It's that modern British sound, based on the great music of the 60s with touches of Merseybeat in there - �See The Smile' is a like a more laid-back The Coral, and following a dedication to their post-birthday hungover friend they batter out punky pop with bubblegum tinges. �Something Easy' shows they're a band who your parents would approve of, then, when Mum and Dad step out of the room, do what you want them to do. It's in the vein of the contemporary London sound, the likes of The Libertines, Razorlight, and Dirty Pretty Things, but they seem to be re-interpreting the same sources rather than copying the more modern bands, and �Loves' could easily come from Barat & co. They aren't just stuck in this style though, and are equally capable of MC5-esque garage rock or a brilliant Franz-Abba (trust me on this) hybrid with �As Good As It Gets', with it's cracking high bass and choppy drums. Unfortunately, despite this being their EP launch, their guitarist seems to fail to understand the concept of capitalism, and may be suggesting that their music is available in exchange for potatoes, rather than cash. Something to work on for the next show perhaps, but they finish off with more good-time fun indie pop, called �You Just Don't Know Me At All.' If you don't know them, then you're missing out.
- BBC - Across The Line

"All the best bands start out as a gang and Colenso Parade are no different. Off-stage they might seem like a couple of naive young scallies from the sticks but don't let that fool you, on-stage they are a cocksure, swaggering indie rock beast with a raft of attitude, bagful of tunes and energy reminiscent of early Libertines or Oasis, Running out clear winners of this year's Island Art Centre Battle of the Bands, it should just be the start of an ascending arc for one of the freshest and exciting new Irish bands we've heard in years." - AU Magazine

There's no such self-indulgence from Omagh based indie-punksters Colenso Parade, who's opening track 'I don't mind the weather' hurtles out of the traps at top speed, doesn't stop till it hits the finishing line and nails everything down in two minutes 13 seconds. 'As Good as it gets' is a heavier stomper with riffs a-go-go and singalong bits to boot. 'The impressionable Miss Reilly ' continues their irrepressible rampage with more riffage, jolly hooks and an eccentric interjection from a tin whistle. For those in need of helading after an overdose of introspective singer-songwriterhood, Colenso Parade will blow away the cobwebs.
- Hot Press - Jackie Hayden

Get your red and white spotted cloth and tie your most valuable possessions up, attach it to the end of a pole and follow the carnival. These four guys from Northern Ireland have the capability of recruiting followers wherever they flow, so get in before the lions cage is the only space left!

The Colenso Parade, Paddy Trolan produced LP has been causing havoc with our speakers like a ferocious firebug, and its time your speakers joined in too! Self taught and making noise for two years, this band glow with self Styled sounds. Recorded in just 1 week and described by the boys as a 'great craic', they had come a long way since rehearsing in a tiny shed with little clue on how to play their instruments.

With influences ranging from Oasis to The Libertines, you cannot pinpoint the moment where the influence leaks in; its definitely there but illusive enough to be original.

It's the build up and release of chorus that bang on your ear drums like aboriginal elders; constant, memorable and effective. Colenso have a couple of songs which could break the top 10 if a record label recognises their potential. They are a band just waiting for the "Oasis King Tuts syndrome" to kick in and their deal will be signed, sealed and delivered.

Single "Only on a Saturday night" kicks in with ripped guitars leading to a great battle from bridge to chorus and back, between drums and rhythm guitar. A battle started in hate and finished in peace as the melody hypnotises your feet to surrender to the sound.

'The band started off as a bit of a laugh, to relieve the boredom that occurs in life when you're unable to impress on the football pitch. But now its definitely something we love, which is definitley one of the reasons why we do it. We do it for the craic in performing, and the satisfaction of seeing people enjoy our tunes. We are close mates as well, which is a bonus'

We foresee huge things for these guys if they get the record label and luck that they deserve. Check them out at: all the w's .myspace.com/colensoparade

By Terry Whittaker
- Terry Whittaker - www.hdrome.co.uk

Colenso Parade were the third entertainers on the night and I don’t mean to spoil the ending of this lovely piece of reviewing but they were easily the best.
The Tyrone based four piece aren’t exactly the sort of young fellas you’d introduce to your granny but you'd be mad to ignore them completely.
Sure they look like nice, clean citizens (most of them) but as soon as they kick things off you know you’re in the presence of raw, unadulterated talent. Catchy melodies are underpinned by the look and feel of a band completely at home in the live setting.
Front man Fergal Lindsay has the cocky charm of the afore mentioned groups and is happy to acknowledge the random idiots in the crowd who attempt to taunt him. Musicianship is excellent and their often short, catchy tunes strike a chord with the crowd. - Mid Ulster Mail

"Despite being young, these four lads from Omagh are quickly earning a reputation for great song writing and packed-out live shows. With a touch of Arctic Monkeys about 'em, they're definitely ones to watch this year."
- NME - NME

So, anyone fancy a pint on a warm Spring evening, accompanied by a combination of some of the best local talent and potentially the next big thing in British music? Well...you missed it. Last night I was treated to a performance by the excellent as ever 'Colenso Parade' and London's 'Red Light Company'. Things kicked off at 8pm in a reasonably full Auntie Annie's and it was clear from the offset that Omagh's finest were out to enjoy themselves. Introducing themselves, unless my hearing was very much mistaken, as "Hi, we're Colenso Parade and we want to meet your mums". Mickey, Fergal, Philly and Paul 'Melly' Melon all looking the part in shirts and ties began with the explosive 'Shine a Light'. The onslaught of quirky, memorable vocal melodies, punchy bass lines accompanied by intricate guitar riffs and driving drums certainly turned heads in the crowd. The Colenso lads seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and their antics onstage rubbed off on the audience who greeted each song with more applause than the last. By the time Colenso Parade played 'I Walked You Skipped' most of the crowd, myself included, were unable to resist singing along to the infectious choruses. Two brand new songs off the impressive EP 'You And Me Against An Old Routine' called 'Smile' and 'Not For Diamonds' were given a good reception, not only by Colenso's faithful sitting opposite the stage, but by the crowd in general, not all of whom knew the Omagh band before the gig. Undoubtedly the most memorable thing of the night came midway through a classic Colenso song 'The Impressionable Miss Reilly' when Mickey's guitar cut out due to a still undetermined technical fault. Like any good guitarist, Mickey's backup plan was to grab the guitar off Fergal's back and continue playing in a stunt admired by the whole audience for its spontaneity and comical execution. Fergal, clearly a bit uncomfortable without his guitar as he admitted after, continued to sing and played air guitar until he got a chance to grab his acoustic guitar. Most impressive was the professional approach of the guys, who despite their young age, seem to have a wealth of experience. Their finale, 'Better Off' taken from their new EP, was an excellent finish to the set and got a good reception from a considerably larger crowd than had been present at the start of the set. This performance did Colenso Parade no harm and they are quickly establishing themselves as one of the top local acts and I, for one, will be going to see them again. The high-energy performance and fun loving approach from the band had toes tapping and put a smile on every face in the audience.
- Gigging NI

Upon sliding Colenso Parade's You and Me Against Old Routine I was not quite sure what to expect. It had been some time since I had seen them, the first time I saw them they were a young, raw, energetic band with so much self confidence that some may mistake it for arrogance but I found quite magnetic. Musically, my attention had been grabbed so I was intrigued to see what the intervening year or so had done to them.

What I got was a lot more than I had expected, this is an EP is extremely impressive proportions. It's a collection of melodic, romantic, well rounded, methodical and really well put together pop-indie songs, but never boring because of the lyrical edge that is contained within. These lads have echoes of The Coral and The Cribs with tales of broken hearts and walks home after unfulfilling one night stands. Some may point to a lack of lyrical scope, a limitation perhaps, but I say what better universe to explore than that of love, loss and lust for a group of guys who are just out of school.

Incredibly impressive and excellently recorded, this is the sound of a band that is not only sure of where they are going but appear to be completely at ease at where they are. They seem to be comfortable in their own musical skin and when a band gets in that place song writing must be a pleasure rather than a chore, and this certainly seems the case with Colenso Parade. It is all too easy to throw around over used phrases like 'ones to watch' and 'full of potential' but I feel that this EP is the first step of potential fulfilled.

In short, as you can probably tell, I really liked this, and I for one can't wait to see where they are in another year from now.

Robbie Best

www.myspace.com/colensoparade - Bruised Fruit

Those arriving early at the Mandela get the definite bonus of hearing local band Colenso Parade. Dressed like renegades from a We Are Scientists video in jacket, shirt and tie they get a big response from the early birds.

Colenso deliver a solid set, lead guitar ringing through well-crafted songs with Beatle-esque harmonies going on. This reviewer has rarely liked a band so much on a first live listen. One to hear again.

Things heavy up with The Brothers Movement, a Dublin band previously known as Mainline. Dress code is black with leathers, the sound aiming at big stage anthems. If you like Oasis, you'll like TBM.

A crowd fills the floor of the Mandela when loveable mop-tops The View take the stage. They have a knack of writing songs with great hooks and have more wit and substance than much of the young indie herd. A frantic and enthusiastic set follows, things getting reasonably mental by the time we get to 'Wasted Little DJs as the third song in. Songs from 'Which Bitch?' stand up well against the stalwarts from the first album.

There is change of pace for a few acoustic songs in the middle, before things build to a manic end with 'Superstar Tradesman' and 'Shock Horror'.

The View give you energy and passion and the show is a belter. They could have fitted revolving doors to the Mandela towards the end, as a growing number of punters boiled over and had to be introduced to the calming benefits of cool fresh air. Whatever the Ents crew were paid it wasn't enough.

Frantic and fun.

Bert Scott - BBC ATL